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By : Elim Chew, Founder of 77th Street
A Good Friend Mr. Tan Ye Peng, the founder of CityCare and Social Innovation Park Fellows Award 2008 winner shared with me about ten values to build companies to last. The SIP Fellow Award is an award to recognize outstanding and high-achieving individuals who are creating systemic change to the community and Mr. Tan was one the four award recipients.
I had the opportunity to share these same values that I live by, at the NUS Commencement Ceremony for Business School with a graduation class of 400 to 500 students. I was the speaker and presiding office to give out the scrolls.
As the speaker, I saw the faces of graduates who would be facing the world as they leave NUS to impact the business community or to start their own business.
I trust that the 10 values I shared with them will bring them success in life and the business they are involved with. I believe as you begin to apply them, you will see positive changes that you desire to see happening to you also.
People often ask me how I become successful in what I am doing or how they can be successful in life. I do not believe in get-rich-quick schemes or any shortcuts. They may get you somewhere for a while but eventually it is about building your character and values as the foundation and cornerstone in your life that will bring you true lasting riches and success. The values on Building to Last are the very values that I treasure and live by.
10 Values: Build to Last: Here we go!
1. LOYALTY
Choose who you align yourself with.
In a company, the CEO's vision becomes your vision.
If you are managing your own company, you would want your staff to be loyal to your vision so that together you can achieve it.
2. COMMITMENT
You must be committed to the company and whom you have chosen to align yourself with,
Vision without commitment is not going to get you anywhere.
You can set many visions but if you are not committed to it, nothing will happen.
3. RESPECT
Respect for one another, respect for the leadership that you are under. Speak well of each other. Show proper respect to whom honour is due.
It is important to learn how to respect and honour one another. When you respect others, you are respecting yourself and respect will follow after you. Attitude is everything.
4. ACCOUNTABILITY
You must be accountable to your CEO - the one that sets the vision. If you are not accountable and connected to your CEO, you would not know.
- Whether the strategy is updated?
- Whether you are still in the right direction that your leader wants you to do?
When there is accountability, there will be update on the progress, accurate communication and constant evaluation to empower you so that you can play a part to add value to your company. Then we are building something that will last!
5. FAMILY
You can be working so hard for your family but you have no time to enjoy with them. Nobody at the end of his life, would be lying down on his bed and say his last words, "I wish I can work one more day!" No! They would probably say, "I wish I had spent more time with my family.
6. LOVE
Without love, you cannot build anything that will last.
Love what you do, love yourself and love people.
You will build a great team to help you and a great network of contacts.
The value of who you are is in the network of people you know.
If you love what you do, everything is possible. If you love what you do, then you need not work for the rest of your life because you are doing something that you love. Isn't that nice?
7. FAITHFULNESS OR TRUSTWORTHY
You often hear the saying, "When you are faithful in what is little, you will be faithful in much." Faithfulness in the little things like punctuality, submitting reports on time, keeping to deadlines and especially when dealing with money or handling what belong to others. When you are faithful in the little, you can be trusted with more responsibilities and promotion will come along.
8. HARD WORK OR DILIGENCE
To deliver above and beyond what is required and to do it well through hard work or diligence. It is about delivering excellence. In doing that, you will be noticed and opportunities will present themselves.
9. INTEGRITY
The more you build your life on integrity, the better will be your way and greater will be your life. You will build trust, people will believe in you and this is the way of a good and trusted leader. A leader that people will willingly follow and respect.
10. GENEROSITY
Be a giving person, a giving organization
Give and much will be given back to you.
I learn the most in volunteering and giving back to the community.
As a Founding Director of the Social Innovation Park, One of the ways that I am involved in to contribute to the community is to champion social entrepreneurship movement which uses business models to solve social issues.
Interestingly, there is an existing global interest in Singapore as the Centre for the 3rd Sector in Asia - creating sustainable change through social entrepreneurship. This 3rd Sector encompasses non-governmental organizations, the non-profit, the voluntary welfare organizations, charities, co-operations, social enterprises and philanthropic bodies.
Charities here pulled in a record $820 million last year. Singapore has great potential as the Centre for the 3rd Sector where our local Warren Buffets and Bill Gates can do good with the bulk of their wealth.
Being in this movement has given me great opportunity to connect not just locally or with Asia, but also GLOBALLY.
Coming back, as I stood there evaluating my purpose at the NUS Commencement Ceremony, I saw Alvin Pang receiving his degree from me, I knew that was the reason for my purpose. My heart was filled with tears of joy.
Few years back, Alvin Pang wrote his story in my book "My Voice", a compilation of youth stories. Alvin was a school dropout and was not able to continue his studies when he failed his PSLE. Due to poor family background he had to work to help support the family. He had to work in all kinds of odd jobs such as newspaper delivery, cleaner, stall assistant because of his lack of education. He often felt the discrimination of others but he was determined to change that by saving hard to go back to study again.
He believed that if he can do every kind of job well he would have no problem with studies. Indeed, he passed his O levels as a private candidate and at 27 years old, he graduated as an outstanding student in Ngee Ann Polytechnic Mass Communication diploma course and went on to pursue his dream at the NUS Business School.
Finally, his spirit of working hard and not giving up has earned him a degree at age 30. Alvin is a great example that when you abide with positive values, it will surely come back to you in a positive way some day. I always believe as you pave your path with the right values, one day it will lead you to the right path.
When much is given, much will be given back to you.
Everything I have today is given to me because I live by these 10 positive values.
10 VALUES TO BUILD TO LAST:
LOYALTY
COMMITMENT
RESPECT
ACCOUNTABILITY
FAMILY
LOVE
FAITHFULNESS
HARDWORK
INTEGRITY
GENEROSITY
ONCE you have these 10 values, I believe you will build a firm foundation for great leadership.
Positive values make you different from others.
Positive values attract opportunities.
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